Learning Commons - Sip, Study, Stay Awhile

Screenshot of Learning Commons Sip Study Stay Awhile The IECC Learning Commons Adventure Presentation

Title and link: Learning Commons - Sip, Study, Stay Awhile

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Karissa Anderson, Kaitlyn Weger

Presenting Institution: IECC

Date Presented: 2026-02-26

Description: From study rooms students make a beeline for, to free Keurig perks, to lounge zones built for comfort, to giant games that bring the fun—IECC has been busy. Come steal our best ideas (we won’t tell!) and learn simple ways to add joy and energy to your own space.

Data Driven Floorplans

Screenshot of Data Driven Floor Plans Presentation

Title and link: Data Driven Floor Plans

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Sam Suber

Presenting Institution: MVCC

Date Presented: 2026-02-18

Description: Go beyond simple layouts and learn to solve complex spatial puzzles using the power of Excel Solver. After a beginner-friendly introduction to the tool, we will walk through three practical scenarios: maximizing furniture density, accounting for ADA traffic flow buffers, and calculating precise weeding targets for optimal shelf capacity. You will leave with a data-backed framework to turn physical constraints into objective decisions for your Library.

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Engaging Beyond the Library Walls: Serving Dual Credit Students

Title and link: Engaging Beyond the Library Walls: Serving Dual Credit Students

Video Host: N/A

Presenter: Atticus Garrison and Andy Cougill

Presenting Institution: Black Hawk College, Lake Land College

Date Presented: 2025-10-29

Description: Following on their lightning session at Allerton, Atticus Garrison and Andy Cougill will continue their conversation about engaging with dual credit students at our October webinar. Please join us and share your successes and struggles serving dual credit students in your district. Bring plenty of questions and a willingness to share your experiences!

NILRC 101

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Title and link: NILRC 101

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Sam Suber, Lois Bruno, Amy Pinc, Kaitlyn Weger

Presenting Institution: MVCC, NILRC, Triton, IECC

Date Presented: 2025-09-19

Description: Whether you're a long-standing member or new to the NILRC consortium, join us for NILRC 101, a webinar designed to refresh your knowledge and maximize the benefits of your membership.

Webinar Outline:

  • Introduction to NILRC: Review NILRC's purpose and mission.

  • What is NILRC? Gain a deeper understanding of NILRC's scope, structure, and core functions.

  • Meet the Director: Learn about the Director's background, responsibilities, and key accomplishments.

  • NILRC's Products and Services: Discover the latest developments and opportunities within our wide range of resources and services.

  • NILRC's Impact: Learn about our future plans, and how your membership contributes to our success.

  • Q&A Session: Ask questions and get your curiosities answered by our experts.

Refresh your NILRC knowledge, enhance your membership experience, and learn about how you can contribute to our future goals!

Inventory Do's and Don't: What We've Learned Through Planning It and Running It

Title and link: Inventory Do's and Don't: What We've Learned Through Planning It and Running It

Video Host: N/A

Presenter:  Bryan Clark and Amy Pinc presenting

Presenting Institution: ICC, Triton

Date Presented: 2025-05-07

Description: In this collaborative discussion, come hear how Triton College and Illinois Central College are handling their inventory projects, but also bring your own tips to share. We're all learning this together and we'd like to continue to bring the best ideas to one place. Amy Pinc and Bryan Clark will foster the discussion with our own tips and questions for the NILRC community.

Uncommon Collections

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Title and link: Uncommon Collections

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Valerie Moore and Thomas Mantzakides

Presenting Institution: Prairie State College, Morton College

Date Presented: 2025-04-10

Description: In this presentation, Valerie Moore from Prairie State College and Thomas Mantzakides from Morton College will cover their Library’s uncommon collections, some circulating, and some not. When people think of a library, they think of books, but the bulk of our library collections are eResources. They definitely don’t think of objects. However, it has become common for public libraries to lend things. A symposium on play in the academy, and a second conference on public library collections of things got Valerie thinking about how she could bring more play and games to the PSC Library. Thomas will cover the "Library of Things" collection at Morton College - why certain items were added to the collection, lending policies, and how best to promote and possibly expand the collection.

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Dumpster Diving for Information: Weeding through AI Trash in Search Engines

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Screenshot of video presentation

Title and link: Dumpster Diving for Information: Weeding through AI Trash in Search Engines

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Laura Watson and Atticus Garrison

Presenting Institution: Highland Community College, Black Hawk College

Date Presented: 2025-03-11

Description: With AI-generated content flooding search results, AI overviews reshaping what we see, and library discovery tools integrating AI in new ways, navigating search is more challenging and frustrating than ever. This session will explore how AI is reshaping search engine results, discuss strategies for filtering through the noise to find reliable information, and examine the growing presence of AI-driven tools in library databases and catalogs. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help themselves and their patrons adapt to this evolving information environment.

Digitization Basics: How to Work Outside Alma's Parameters to Simplify the Process

Title and link: Digitization Basics: How to Work Outside Alma's Parameters to Simplify the Process

Video Host: N/A

Presenter: Bryan Clark

Presenting Institution: ICC

Date Presented: 2024-11-24

Description: Illinois Central College began investigating digitization in the Alma interface during the pandemic... and found it confusing. Rather than jumping through hoops, we developed a process that fit our needs. Come hear how we tackled the red tape and came out on the other side. We'd also love to hear how you do it differently and what has worked or not worked for you.

Civic engagement in the library: tools for teaching students to how to evaluate election information and disinformation

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Title and link: Civic engagement in the library: tools for teaching students to how to evaluate election information and disinformation

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Katie Ediger, Andy Cougill, and Jason Ertz

Presenting Institution:

Date Presented: 2024-10-08

Description: Join us for a webinar discussing different lesson plans, display ideas, and other tools and pedagogies concerning disinformation and the Nov elections. We will discuss this for part of the webinar and will open the floor for participants to provide and discuss their own ideas and tools for civic engagement in the Library. As we collect ideas from other NILRC librarians in the webinar, we will develop a resource list to distribute throughout NILRC community.

Wearing Two Hats : one library's expanded role on campus providing support for a virtual bookstore

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Title and link: Wearing Two Hats : one library's expanded role on campus providing support for a virtual bookstore

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Thomas Mantzakides

Presenting Institution: Morton College

Date Presented: 2024-04-02

Description: After transitioning to a virtual bookstore operated by the Follett Corporation, Morton College underwent a series of renovations meant to transform its spaces and services. The campus library, having temporarily moved to the shuttered bookstore space, was often seen by students as the place to ask questions about ordering textbooks and accessing eBooks for their classes. While library staff were directed to transfer questions to Follett's virtual support, it soon became apparent that staff training was needed to ensure effective, in-person customer service.
This webinar will take a look at the Morton library’s experience in adjusting to a new role on campus, describe the challenges faced by staff in assisting students, and share recommendations on how to manage a smooth transition when adapting to different work responsibilities.

Neurodiversity in Libraries

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Title and link: Neurodiversity in Libraries

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Amy Pinc & Shenikah Lawrence

Presenting Institution: Triton College Library

Date Presented: 2024-02-27

Description: We will be discussing Triton College library's initiatives and programs to help support neurodiversity on campus and in our community, beginning with the Neurodiversity Summit the library hosted in Fall 2023. This will be followed by a discussion about what other libraries are doing and ideas others have. Please bring your ideas! We want to show what we have done and learned on this topic but are eager to learn from other libraries and their successes and challenges.

Springsharing is Caring

Springsharing is Caring Virtual Meeting Recording

Title and link: Springsharing is Caring

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Amy Glass, Illinois Central College, Sarah Probst, Springshare

Presenting Institution: ICC

Date Presented: 2023-11-01

Description: Presentation and discussion about various Springshare products and how member libraries are using them. The second half of the webinar is a presentation by Springshare representative Sarah Probst on recent Springshare updates and news.

Generative AI Deep Dive Implications, Ethics & the Future of Librarianship

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Title and link: Generative AI Deep Dive Implications, Ethics & the Future of Librarianship

Video Host: YouTube

Presenter: Jason Ertz, Atticus Garrison

Presenting Institution: College of DuPage, Black Hawk College

Date Presented: 2023-10-10

Description: How Generative AI and other Language Learning Models affect librarianship.

Misinformation Disinformation

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Title and link: Misinformation Disinformation

Video Host: N/A

Presenter: Amy Glass

Presenting Institution: Prairie State College

Date Presented: 2023-02-07

Description: This webinar focuses on the critical need for media literacy to combat the spread of misinformation. The presenters, an academic librarian and a dental hygiene professor from Prairie State College, highlight the evolving nature of information consumption and the practical steps individuals can take to verify sources.